Building envelope and method for adjusting the temperature in a building

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a building envelope, in particular a building wall, floor, or roof, having at least two spaced-apart shells that enclose an intermediate space there between, the intermediate space being essentially empty except for weight-bearing and/or construction engineering elements or being filled in at least some sections with porous, open-cell material and being sealed from the exterior and interior of the building. A plurality of heat pipes which are connected to a heat collector on the shell facing the exterior and which end in the intermediate space is arranged in the intermediate space.

A building envelope, in particular a wall, a floor, or a roof of abuilding with at least two shells spaced some distance apart from oneanother, which encloses an intermediate space, said space beingessentially empty with the exception of weight-bearing and/orconstruction-engineering elements or being filled at least in sectionswith porous, open-celled material and sealed from the interior andexterior of the building, wherein controllable sealing means areprovided for sealing the intermediate space from the interior andexterior and optionally separated building envelope sections from oneother.

DESCRIPTION

1. Technical Field

The invention concerns a building envelope, in particular a wall, afloor, and/or a roof of a building with at least two shells spaced somedistance apart from one another, which enclose a space, beingessentially empty, with the exception of weight-bearing and/orconstruction-engineering elements, or filled at least in sections withporous, open-celled material, which is sealed from the interior andexterior of the building. It further concerns a method for controllingthe inside temperature in a building, which in particular has a buildingenvelope of the aforementioned type.

2. State of the Art

Conventional thermal insulation for building envelopes is static. Themaximum insulation value is sought, with minimal wall thickness. Thiscorresponds to a maximum decoupling of the interior climate and that ofthe surroundings of the building. With regards to heat management andthe heating and cooling energy requirements of a building, in mostclimate zones, this state of the building envelope is ideal only for afew days per year. Conditions far removed from the optimum increaseenergy and resource use, which means that in such cases, heat and/orcold must be brought in or expelled between the interior and theenvironment by means of complicated, external systems.

Experience with buildings having high thermal insulation have shown thatthe pronounced decoupling of the inside and outside climates does notautomatically lead to energy-efficient buildings. In recent years,discussions carried on among experts concerning building envelopes ofadministration buildings with high thermal insulation have come to theconclusion that, with high internal loads, this may have a negativeeffect on the overall energy balance. The high degree of decoupling ofthe inside from the outside climate leads to greater than averagecooling and low heating requirements.

Cooling a building, however, demands a higher share of primary energy,according to the system used, compared with heating, which contributesto inefficiency in most building categories. However, if the insideclimate is coupled to the outside climate in the cooling-load case, alarge part of the internal loads can be directly carried off to theenvironment by building envelope with reduced thermal insulation andwithout great engineering expense. The cooling of the building doeshowever require—depending on the system employed—in comparison to theheating, a higher use of primary energy, which contributes toinefficiency in most building categories. Were one to however couple theinterior to the exterior climate in the case of cooling load, then alarge portion of the internal load can be expelled directly and withoutmuch technical complexity to the environment through the lesser thermalinsulation of the building shell.

The function of a building envelope consists in the separation of abuilding between the building interior and its surroundings.Consequently, two ancillary conditions are relevant. The interiorancillary conditions (IACs) consist of the use as living and officespaces, server rooms, and machinery and supply rooms, of the temporalcourse of heating and cooling loads and the cycles thereof, as well asthe interior climate parameters related to temperature, humidity, andnoise. The exterior ancillary conditions (EACs) consist of thestructural statics, dynamics, and mechanical impacts, impacts based onweather and climate, and as their temporal course, such as weather andclimatic phases and day and night cycles. The relevant structuralconstruction factors are heat, humidity, and noise, their temporalcourse, and the building geometry. Furthermore, the intrinsic conditions(ICs) of the building envelope are relevant. These consist of thetransmission and storage capacities of the structural constructionfactors within the building envelope. For heat, these are theheat-transfer coefficient, for humidity the moisture transfer capabilityand the moisture-storage capacity thereof, as well as for sound thetransmittance. These ICs are defined by construction, geometry, andchoice of material.

Conventionally, structural construction requirements are met with aprevention and decoupling philosophy. In so doing, the structuralconstruction impacts are decoupled from the building surroundings by thebuilding envelope insofar as possible, and the indoor climaticconditions are separately established by central systems. These areshown by research trends, cf. Proceedings of the 10th InternationalVacuum Insulation Symposium, Ottawa, Calif., 2011, along with BjornPetter Jelle, Arild Gustaysen, and Rüben Baetens. 2010. “The path tohigh performance thermal building insulation materials and solutions oftomorrow”. Journal of Building Physics:34(2) 99, in the area of thermalinsulation and protection from humidity. This approach for handling thestructural construction impacts, however, fails to recognize theindustrial trend of decentralization.

In addition to conventional insulating materials such as stone and glasswool, fiber and foam materials, systems are also increasingly being usedwith evacuated layers; so-called vacuum insulation. These aredistinguished by a low layer-thickness with very high thermal-insulationefficiency, and they make good solutions with a low constructionthickness for difficult geometric circumstances. All these systems arestatic, however, and they lose their insulating effect due toevaporation, the entry of moisture, damage to the envelopes thereof, andmaterial decomposition over time. Arrangements for building envelopeswith variable heat transition exist, cf. U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,831A, DE3625454 A1, WO 2001/61118 A1, WO 2010/122353 A1, WO 2011/146025 A1,W02011/107731 A1, CH703760 A2, DE 102008009553 A1, and DE 10006878 A1.These can basically be divided into the categories of: 1) vacuumsystems, 2) active heat exchange, and 3) wall-heating systems.Furthermore, systems exist with variable heat transition, which arechiefly only achieved with structural measures (variable blinds andcanopies, polarized window glass with sun-position-dependent heattransition).

The systems currently available on the market are oriented essentiallytoward heating requirements and are not at all or only very limitedly ina position to reduce the cooling requirements. The following trends areto be recognized: basically, all systems attempt to reduce theheating/cooling energy requirements. On the one hand, a plurality ofconstruction solutions exists which include phase-change materials(PCMs).

On the other hand, systems have been suggested, chiefly in panelconstruction-style, which contain a cavity for the purpose of evacuatingair, in order to thus be able to vary the insulation effect. Thetechnical expense required to implement these systems, however, is stillalways too great for automation through the reductions obtained inenergy requirements.

As for energy considerations, conventional thermal insulation doespoorly with respect to gray energy. Manufacturing thereof isresource-intensive, as well as being very energy-intensive. On top ofthis, one must also add a volume-intensive transport, which contributesconsiderably to impairment of the energy balance.

If one were to observe the development of the space heating and coolingrequirements of office buildings over the last 40 years, it becomesclear that there exists a high potential for energy savings with abuilding envelope with dynamic thermal insulation; cf. Gasser and B.Kegel. 2005. Gebäudetechnik: Faktor 10 [Construction Engineering: Factor10]. Bau+Architektur [Construction+Architecture]:4/5.

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Through the improvement of the insulation of the building envelope andthe increasing mechanization of the workplace, the space heatingrequirements are understood to be dropping off, whereas the coolingrequirements are increasing. A conflict of goals increasingly appears inthat good insulation for the avoidance of transmission loss is desiredin the winter, whereas in the summer this has a counterproductive effect(reduced cooling of the building overnight). With dynamic thermalinsulation, the possibility exists of approaching an optimum U-value forboth heating and cooling requirements, whereby in comparison to thesituation of today, both the heating and the cooling energy requirementscan be reduced.

Bottom line: subject to the condition that heating costs be as low aspossible, the ratio between the energy used to heat and cool is visiblybeing shifted to a greater cooling expense for most building categories.This does however require a greater use of primary energy, whichnegatively affects energy costs.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the invention lies in outlining a further development ofthe building envelope, which, in particular, improves the overall energybalance of the building. Furthermore, the underlying purpose of theinvention lies in outlining an improved method for adjusting the insidetemperature in a building, which is likewise distinguished by a highoverall energy efficiency.

This purpose is solved in its device-related aspects according torelatively independent forms of the invention by means of a buildingenvelope with the features of claim 1 and in the process-related aspectsby means of a method with the features of claim 14. The respectivedependent claims effectively build on the concepts of the invention.

The invention attempts to achieve an approach for overcoming thephysical construction requirements by means of a control and managementphilosophy. In this, it is sought not to prevent the consequencesthereof, but to incorporate them in the concept of a building envelopeand by managing them in a controlled manner. The physical constructionconsequences are linked to the system and their handling is provided forin a decentralized manner. Moreover, the variable and intrinsic dynamicconditions and the inside and outside ancillary conditions are exploitedfor the heat management of a building.

The area of application of such a building envelope, which possessescontinuously controllable heat transition, is chiefly in structures,buildings, and installations with a complex and exacting heat managementor with increased noise exposure. On the one hand, these areconstructions, structures, buildings, or installations (as well asmachinery housings, in extreme cases, also, for example, ship hulls)which have to fulfill a plurality of functions and/or are exposed toextreme internal and external conditions. These may involve externalimpacts such as those due to weather, climate, or mechanical loads ormay consist of internal effects due to processes or applications withsevere effects from temperature, humidity, noise, or dust. Specificallyto be mentioned are building envelopes for mobile systems (in contrastto immobile systems like structures and buildings), such as modularcomputer centers, server rooms, and labs that have a standard ISOcontainer construction or similar modular geometry.

The use of a building envelope with continuously controllable heattransition for machinery and installations makes it possible to attainthe heating and cooling performance requirements thereof directlythrough their envelope, which exchanges heat with the surroundings.Thus, costly external heating and cooling installations can be reducedto a minimum. Furthermore, the double-shelled or multi-shelled executionof the construction offers substantial advantages with respect tosoundproofing. In combination with porous structures, they can findapplication as protective or safety envelopes for buildings andinstallations (explosion protection, etc.).

A further optimization of this system of a building envelope, so as toreduce heating and thermal requirements, is achieved in the case inwhich heat transition is controlled by targeting it as a whole. Therethereby exists the possibility in the heating operations of directingheat from south-facing, sun-lit facade areas into the building and thenwith the onset of diminishing entry of heat to once again optimizeinsulation of the building envelope and decouple it from the outsideclimate. Furthermore, integration of the system into the conventionalconstruction engineering provides a wide field of energy-savingpossibilities in the building sector.

From today's point of view, a double-shelled construction is thepreferred solution, based upon the consideration of the development of asystem with a variable and controllable degree of decoupling as aseparation component between the external and internal climates of abuilding. In order to implement the system, novel sealing systems areneeded, on the one hand, for the surfaces and connections, which mustsatisfy multiple requirements, such as elasticity, adhesion, durability,and temperature resistance. On top of this, one has the properdimensioning and arrangement of the points of sealing. On the otherhand, newly occurring static and dynamic loads inside the buildingenvelope require an efficient building material that makes a versatileconstruction possible in an economical manufacturing process. The systemfurther requires a method of control which is capable of utilizing aplurality of newly arising effects such as temperature gradients,differing degrees of humidity, and phase transitions within the buildingenvelope for handling the heat management of a building. All theseaspects, combined in a system with dynamic thermal insulation and heatexchange, can lead to a significant reduction in the heating and coolingenergy requirements of a building.

The basic innovative content of this system of building envelope lies ingenerally reducing heating and cooling energy requirements, bytemporarily increasing heat transition in the building envelope of astructure. Heat exchange is directly accomplished through the surface ofthe building and is exploited for the heat management thereof. Thesystem has a variable, continuously controllable U-value and activelyinfluences the heat management. Incidental moisture is monitored andremoved from the construction, and there are no negative influences,such as material deterioration, on the insulation value. A plurality ofeffects (for example, temperature gradients inside the buildingenvelope) can be exploited for heat management, by means of theorientation-dependent lay-out of the building envelope into individualsectors. The system is achieved through the novel combination ofdifferent technologies and methods.

The system advanced here is optimized in relation to the inputs for use(internal loads) and location (climate zone). This reduces theconventional building technology. Moreover, existing and induced effectsinside the building envelope are exploited for handling the heatmanagement of a building, through decentralized coupling to the buildingtechnology. The system combines the following components: 1) vacuumsystems, 2) active heat exchange, and 3) wall heating systems in variousoptions and includes specific solutions for the construction, for thesupply engineering, and for the operation of the building.

The concept describes a system for a building envelope/facade andincludes a double-shelled or multi-shelled construction, supplyengineering, and a method which allows any optional modification,monitoring, and control of heat transition through the building envelope(no curtain panels). In the internal space in the construction, which isformed either as a cavity or is filled up with suitable, porous,open-celled materials, or one can optional employ a vacuum (to minimizeheat transition), or feed in air or gas (to neutralize heat transition),or introduce heat-conducting liquid (to maximize heat transition). Theresulting building envelope with a dynamic U-value possesses a variabledegree of decoupling of the interior climate from the surroundingenvironment. Heat management can thus be directly accomplished throughthe building surfaces. The technical requirements to be resolved arebasically the sealing and calking of surfaces, connections, joints, andpenetrations. At the same time, detail, joint, and surface gaskets mustbe newly developed, materialized, and measured. Additionally, novelsupply engineering is required, whereby it is sought to integrateelectrical and plumbing components from existing systems.

The system advanced here has a direct influence through the buildingenvelope on heating and cooling requirements and moreover makes couplingto conventional construction-engineering components possible. Additionaleffects (temperature gradients inside the walls, phase transitions inthe intermediate space) can thus be exploited, which further increasethe energy-savings potential and thus make the engineering expense forits implementation worthwhile. The building is considered to be a systemin which the building envelope, consisting of construction, supplyengineering, and management process, forms a system component. Includedtherein is the approach to maintain additional freedom relating tointegrated capabilities (heat, vacuum) and heat-transport media (air,gas, liquids). This allows for maximum exploitation of system conditionsfor the heat management of a building.

In general, it will be clearly explained at this point that the presentinvention is not specifically involved with ventilation, air flow, orback ventilation, but it does concern passively or actively influencingor controlling heat transition by means of a wall construction throughthe devices and constructions to be explained in further detail below.It does not involve heating or cooling (and then “maintaining”) a wallshell, such as heat flow propagated within the building envelope), butrather the heat from the outside inward will be controlled (actively orpassively). It therefore preferably involves closed systems whichexhibit closed circulation. The object of the present invention concernsadjusting to a specific use or climate zone, in which it is taken intoconsideration that a conflict basically exists with respect to thespecific construction and the heating and cooling function (which isstill further explained in detail below). Furthermore, it should benoted that with the present invention, heat storage inside a wall is notinvolved, but rather it involves heat transport from the outside inward(for instance, from an outside heat collector into a building interior).

The following embodiments for the description of the system can bedivided into two aspects. On the one hand, solutions for influence andcontrol of heat transition (increasing/decreasing) by means of theconstruction are described. On the other hand, measures and devices areadvanced which contribute to increasing or decreasing heat transition(thermal input/output) on the surfaces of the construction with theenvironment.

The construction basically comprises (at least) two spaced-apart shellsthat enclose an intermediate space at a fixed distance. Saidintermediate space is filled by a porous, open-celled material or formsa cavity, with the aid of a spacer. The intermediate space can beevacuated (vacuum) or ventilated with air or a gas, or it can be filledwith/emptied of a heat-conducting liquid, as desired. The shells whichform a wall, floor, or floor construction in a structure or a housingfor a system or machine, are made from a previous loose, flowable, orfluid building material (powder, pellets, dust, concrete, syntheticresin, etc.) that is reinforced shortly after insertion into a shapingform/mold, which sets after a certain length of time and reaches itsfull strength.

In this way, it is possible to implement the construction with the aidof reinforcement (strengthening, armoring) in nearly any constructionshape and using slender construction methods. In the same way, feedconduits, piping, cables, etc. can be neatly routed, molded in, andused. In the final state, the building material must at least beairtight, or even better, vacuum-, gas-, and liquid-tight. Theproperties required can be obtained with specific additives mixed in.Particular attention is required to prevent or lessen the formation ofshrinkage cracks during the setting process. The shells of theconstruction serve chiefly for statics and the input of dynamic loads,however they can also take on a plurality of further functions, such astransport, storage, and exchange of heat and moisture or protectionagainst mechanical impacts. In order to improve the static and dynamicproperties, the building material can either be strengthened by means offibers/wires or with synthetic materials/additives mixed in or by meansof reinforcement (steel, rods made of various materials) or bracingcables.

Inasmuch as, above all, the construction with the system of slenderstructures as well as housings for machines and systems is taken intoaccount, a further type of reinforcement must be considered: the staticand dynamic joining of outer, holohedral reinforcement with the buildingmaterial (sheet-metal—concrete bonds). In so doing, the holohedralmaterial can exhibit, on one hand, inclusions, pores, or bulges or itcan be provided with a porous, open-celled binder, a non-woven material,or a fine-meshed lattice. The static, dynamic bond comes to be inasmuchas the building material flows into the open pores during theinstallation process, then sets, and is then bonded to the holohedralmaterial. In addition to directionally-defined loads, this type ofreinforcement can also take up undefined directional loads(oscillations, vibrations, etc.), and thus further strength can be lentto the construction. Furthermore, this type of reinforcement offersadvantages for the application of vacuum technology.

The construction can further be pre-stressed with the aid of a steelreinforcement. This serves, on the one hand, to improve the static anddynamic properties of the building material or contributes to thelessening of the formation of shrinkage cracks. At the same time, thesteel reinforcement is provided with a heat-insulating surface coatingand is heated up before the installation process (by an electricalcurrent, for instance). In the installation process, a difference intemperature must be maintained between the building material and thesteel reinforcement until the building material begins to build upstrength. By subsequent, delayed cooling off of both media,pre-stressing can be attained due to linear expansion.

Measurement devices and sensors are built into the two shells and/or theintermediate space, (for temperature, moisture, acceleration, vibration,etc.), in order to receive input signals for controlling the system(control process). In other respects, the construction consists of abuilding material, mixed with specific additives and a reinforcement.

In order to describe the manner of functioning and the properties of thesystem, a short overview is provided here relating to the aspects ofheat conduction and thermal insulation. Heat transport in insulationmaterials results due to the heat conduction a) of the air and/or gascontained therein, b) of the solid conductivity of the insulationmaterial, and c) thermal radiation. The main share of heat transport ininsulation materials results from the air/gas contained therein by meansof convection, gas-thermal conduction, and free molecular flow. If theinsulation material (in this case, we designate it as a supportmaterial) is evacuated, then attention must be paid to the relationshipbetween the thermal conductivity of the porous, open-celledinsulation-support material and the inside air and/or gas pressure.

If the share of thermal conduction by the gas phase is severely reducedby evacuation (vacuum insulation with low thermal-conductivity numbers,λ<0.01 W/mK), then the share of the heat transport by thermal radiationcan no longer be neglected. In this case, specific precautions must betaken to screen the thermal radiation. Heat conduction by the solidconductivity of the insulation material can only slightly be affected.The possibilities for further reduction of heat transition are thuslimited.

The relationship between pore size and the internal gas pressure of thesupport material and the thermal conductivity resulting thereof will belaid out and optimized taking into account the use on the one hand, andthe exposure of the building to climate on the other hand. Theintermediate space of a double-shelled or multi-shelled construction cantherefore basically be laid out in a number of ways.

In order to minimize heat conduction by convection, the intermediatespace can be filled up with a porous, open-celled insulation supportmaterial which is bound by tension and pressure to the shells. If theintermediate space is additionally evacuated, the gas-thermalconductivity can also be significantly reduced. The porous, open-celledsupport material in the intermediate space can consist of prefabricatedplates made of a hard foam material or a binding material manufacturedfrom fibers (glass fibers, synthetic fibers) and a binder/adhesive(concrete, synthetic resin), which is applied in such a way (in the formof plates or directly to the construction, reinforcement) that thestrengthened material can absorb loads and is open-celled. In thefuture, an additional method (3-D printing) can also be imagined formanufacturing porous, open-celled support material in order to attainthe pore size that is predetermined on the basis of the interpretationof the system. When introducing the building material into theform/mold, it must be ensured that it only penetrates into the pores ofthe support material providing the spacing, until adhesion isguaranteed.

On the other hand, in order to increase heat conduction by means of aheat-conducting liquid in the intermediate space and to make a rapidchange of conditions in the intermediate space possible, it can beformed as a cavity, which is stabilized and fixed at a distance with theaid of spacers. The dimensioning, choice of material, and distributionof the spacers per m² on the surface are determined by the resultingforces based on the negative or positive pressure in the intermediatespace. On the one hand, said spacers can be casings or solid or hollowrods made of a material with the highest possible strength and lowestpossible thermal conductivity. On the other hand, the spacer can beformed as a so-called spacer element. This may, for instance, be apreviously evacuated, hard-foam material sealed with synthetic resin,which exhibits the necessary strength and possesses a low heatconduction coefficient. Anchoring the spacer in the shells results bymeans of an anchoring element previously inserted into the shells, whichis fixed after installation by the building material. The spacers mustassume the following functions: on the one hand, they must absorb boththe static and dynamic tensile and pressure forces that result due tothe different physical conditions in the intermediate space, and theymust fix the shells at a certain distance apart. Because the spacerforms a constant heat bridge in the construction, it should, on theother hand, possess as small a thermal conductivity as possible and makeas punctiform a contact with the shells as possible. This is achievedwith a material with a high strength and low thermal conductivity, inorder to be able to design the embodiment to be as thin as possible. Inaddition, spacers must additionally fix the form/mold during theinstallation process and take up the form pressure of the fluid buildingmaterial and of the support medium.

A third variant for forming the intermediate space is a combination ofthe two preceding types of construction. This is produced with a slottedor notched, porous, open-celled support material, which likewise has acavity for evacuating and filling with a liquid. This type ofconstruction allows different and mixed conditions to be induced in theintermediate space in order to optimize gas and convection thermalconductivity.

It is shown that there is basically a conflict of interest between thedynamic thermal insulation and heat exchange of the system. On the onehand, it is sought to increase heat transition through the constructionby means of introduction of a heat-conducting liquid into theintermediate space and to attain a rapid exchange of conditions. Thiscan be achieved with the embodiment of the intermediate space as acavity. But if said intermediate space is evacuated, only a moderatethermal insulation value results, due to the geometry. If, on the otherhand, the intermediate space is filled with a porous, open-celledsupport material for the purpose of minimizing heat transition and it isevacuated, the conditions in the intermediate space can only be changedslowly due to the pore size. Additionally, the introduction of aheat-conducting liquid is only carried out in a limited manner, inasmuchas said liquid (the remaining residual moisture) can only be completelyremoved with difficulty. This inevitably leads to the fact that thesystem must be specifically designed taking into account use andspecific climate zone. The selection and determination of the pore sizeof the support material, as well as the lay-out of the intermediatespace will be defined and optimized based on energy estimates for useand climate zone, whereby an optimal U-value range is achieved.

The forces acting upon the shells and spacers, which are provoked by thevarious conditions in the intermediate space, amount in the case of avacuum to a maximum water column pressure of 10 Mp/m², as well as amaximum water column tension of 1 Mp/m² per meter. On top of this, thereare Dynamic loads which are provoked by the exchange of vacuum, gas, andliquid. In any case, the distance-stabilizing and fixing material in theintermediate space (support material, spacer) must absorb the resultantforces. In order to be able to further increase heat transport throughthe construction, heat transition must also be improved (the heat inputor the heat output) from the building envelope to the environment. Thisoccurs basically by increasing the surface area. If the construction isexecuted of concrete, or similar, this can be executed using exposedconcrete aggregate or sandblasting. If the surface is made of sheetmetal, or similar, this can be executed as ribbed or corrugatedsheet-metal. Additionally, heat output and heat transition may beinfluenced by a heat-absorbing or heat-desorbing colored coating on thebuilding surface (color-changing coatings are optimal).

Furthermore, the moistening of the building surface with water, orsimilar, can further increase the resultant volume of heat to thesurface by means of liquefaction/evaporation of the heat transition. Ineach of these cases, it must be ensured that the building environmentdoes not restrict the flow of draft air or the exchange of the volume ofair.

One embodiment of the construction consists of the separation anddivision of the building envelope of a structure or installation intoindividual sectors or orientation-dependent parts and planes. At thesame, the lay-out of the corresponding intermediate space (pore size,support material, geometry) can differ between the individual sectors.

Basically, the intermediate space is therewith divided up by means of aconstruction aid into individual compartments and sectors, which areseparated from one another and whose internal states can be variedindependently of one another as regards the intermediate space (vacuum,gas, heat-conducting liquid). This serves for the purpose ofexploitation of orientation-dependent arrangements of the buildingenvelope (whether the exterior side is in the sun or shade, differentuses on the inside), and it is exploited for the heat management of thestructure or installation by means of the management process. In orderto exploit the effects (temperature and pressure gradients on the insideof the building envelope) still further, they can be applied to surfacescorresponding to the individual sectors with measures for increasingheat transition to the building surface, as described in the precedingsection. The separation surface between the intermediate space and theshells can be sealed with a film or synthetic membrane, or a metalsheet, sealed with a resin or adhesive or with a surface sealant whichis bonded to the building material.

A further embodiment of the construction comprises piping circuits laidin one or both shells (for instance, aluplast floor-heating pipes),through which a heat-transporting liquid can flow by means of liquid orcirculating pumps, in order to exchange the heat in the shells and toutilize the effective heat-storage mass thereof for the heat managementof the structure. The piping can be arranged in the construction shellsin a radial, circular, spiral, or looped shape. When arranging severaldifferent circulation systems inside the building envelope, thetemperature gradients that occur can additionally be exploited againstone another and can be used as heat sources or heat sinks in connectionwith coupling to conventional construction-engineering (heat pumps,cooling systems).

Additionally, controlled humidity can be introduced using permeablepiping in the construction, which upon transition through to the surfaceevaporates. The evaporation heat being released can additionally beexploited for the heat management of the building. The permeable pipingcan also be installed in the intermediate space, embedded in the supportmaterial. In this embodiment, said piping can, on the one hand, be usedas a feeding means for the regulation of the air or gas pressure. On theother hand, it can also be used to introduce moisture into the supportmaterial. This induces physical effects such as increased heatconduction, a better thermal radiation ratio, and a greater thermalcapacity inside the support material.

In accordance with one independent aspect of the invention (which canpreferably be combined with the aspects already explained), a buildingenvelope, in particular a wall, a floor or a roof of a building, isindeed proposed with at least two spaced-apart shells, which enclose aintermediate space sealed against the interior and exterior of thebuilding, said intermediate space being, with the exception ofweight-bearing and/or construction-engineering elements, essentiallyempty or filled at least in sections with porous, open-celled material,whereby a plurality of first partial pipe sections is arranged in theintermediate space, which are joined to a heat collector onto which arebonded the shells facing the outside and which end at the intermediatespace. Preferably, a plurality of second pipe sections is arranged inthe intermediate space which are joined to the shell facing theintermediate space, in particular a heat collector at the shell facingthe inside and which end at the intermediate space, in which a firstpipe section forms a heating pipe with a second pipe section.

A core concept of this aspect lies in the fact that heat transport (thatcan be regulated) can take place through the pipe sections from theinside and outside (and the reverse). It is hereby essential that theintermediate space be sealed. A (heat conducting) fluid can thereby befilled into the intermediate space. In combination with the(heat-conducting) fluid, heat conduction (that can be regulated) can beenabled, inasmuch as the (heat-conducting) fluid is filled into theintermediate space, in such a manner that it adjoins the first pipesection or the heating pipe (comprising the first and second pipesections). In this aspect, however, it does not involve providing pipingin order to make heat storage possible inside the building envelope, butrather in order to make heat transport possible from an outside area(particularly an external heat collector) to an inside area(particularly an internal heat collector). Preferably, both of the pipesections attached to one another are therefore laid out as twointerlocking pipe sections.

In a specific embodiment, one end segment at a time of a second pipesection is attached inside an end segment of a first attached pipesection (contact-free). Alternatively, one end segment at a time of thefirst pipe section can be arranged inside an end segment of a secondattached pipe section (contact-free). The pipe sections therebypreferably interlock with one another. Distancing the attached endsegments from one another is preferred. A space which is preferably free(so that the attached end segments do not move) for joining therebyremains, which is formed by distancing the end segments. In such a case,it is advantageous if a (heat-conducting) fluid can penetrate throughthe joint space into the pipe section, so that a heat-conducting jointis achieved between the end segments. Regulation of the heat conductionthen preferably occurs, in that the joint space is bridged in aheat-conducting manner by the (heat-conducting) fluid, in particular aheat-conducting liquid, (or simply not, by removal of the fluid). In aspecific embodiment, the joint space can also exhibit a(heat-insulating) gasket. A fluid-conducting joint is thereby madepossible between the pipe sections attached to one another, so that thecorresponding heat pipe can carry out the transport of fluid(particularly fluid circulation). In such a case in particular, a liquidpump can be arranged at the first and/or second pipe section, throughwhich the flow rate of a liquid, and consequently heat transition, canbe regulated. In a specific structural embodiment, one end segment at atime of a second pipe section is arranged concentrically within anattached end segment of a first pipe section. Conversely, one endsegment at a time of a first pipe section can also be arrangedconcentrically inside an attached end segment of an attached end segmentof a second pipe section.

In a further embodiment, an interacting fluid circulation is achievedwith the inner and outer shell by means of the heat pipe. The heat pipecan exhibit a central pipe segment which preferably lies inside adouble-walled second pipe segment (for the return of a circulatingfluid).

In a manner according to the method, regulation of the heat passingthrough can take place as follows. The (heat-conducting) fluid can beintroduced to increase the heat passing through in pipe sectionsattached to one another. Alternatively and additionally, the liquidsurface of a fluid formed as a liquid can be set at the height of thepipe sections (attached to one another) or above the pipe sections(attached to one another) or over the pipe sections (attached to oneanother). To decrease the heat passing through, a (heat-conducting)fluid can be removed from the pipe sections. Alternatively oradditionally, the liquid surface area of a fluid formed as a liquid canbe set at the height of the pipe sections (attached to one another) orabove the pipe sections (attached to one another).

A further embodiment of the construction involves so-called heat pipes,which can further increase heat transition through the construction.There are basically two pipes, arranged concentrically at some distanceand leading into one another (manufactured from a good heat-conductingmaterial such as aluminum, copper, or chromium steel), which areconnected to a heat collector on the outside of the shells and whichproject through the shells into the intermediate space. At the sametime, it is important that they do not contact one another and that theyonly project to a certain point in the intermediate space. The heatcollectors (made of a good heat-conducting plate), arranged on theoutside of the construction, are now in direct heat exchange with theimmediate surroundings and can also further conduct the heat from directsun irradiation to the pipe joined thereto and projecting into theshells and the intermediate space. As long as the intermediate space isnow evacuated, no heat-conducting connection exists between the twopipes. If the intermediate space is now filled with a heat-conductingliquid, increased heat transition thereby results from one heat pipe tothe other. This arrangement thus forms a passive heat bridge inside theconstruction and thereby increases heat transition. In particular, theheat pipes act as a bridge for the heat transition of the separationlayer between the shell and the intermediate space. If the intermediatespace is now further emptied of the heat-conducting liquid, theadditional effect disappears for heat transition inside theconstruction. Because the heat pipes do not touch, they also no longerform a heat bridge in the construction. The function of the heat pipesis dependent on two levels of heat-conducting liquid in the intermediatespace of the construction. If the level lies below the heat pipes, thereis no increased heat transition. If the level is above the heat pipes,there is increased heat transition. For improved emptying of the heatpipes of the heat-conducting liquid, said pipes can be conical in shapeor provided with holes for emptying. In order to improve and increaseheat transition by the heat-conducting liquid, said liquid can be mixedwith and enriched by a heat-conducting material. It is optional toexecute the spacers in connection with a heat pipe. In order to furtherincrease the heat transition of the heat collector, the aforementionedmeasures can be used to increase heat transition to the surfaces.

The concept of heat pipes can be further extended to dynamic thermalinsulation and heat exchange within the system. Thermodynamically, thefollowing principles of heat transport exist within a building envelope:

-   -   passive heat conduction (solid heat conduction by the        construction and its devices,        heat transition to its surfaces and/or separation surfaces),    -   active heat transport (convection, reverse ventilation, heat        conduction through the transport of air/gas or a liquid by means        of the supply engineering),    -   evaporation/liquefaction in an open system (moisture inside the        construction and on its surfaces, by means of permeable pipe in        supply engineering), and    -   evaporation/liquefaction in a closed system (heat-exchange        elements as sources and/or sinks through the transport of a        cooling means and/or compression refrigeration machines and heat        pumps).

These thermodynamic effects can be integrated through collectors forheat input and heat output to the surfaces, as well as with aheat-bridge-minimized mode of construction in the heat pipes. These canin addition be coupled to the construction engineering components. Whendistributed over the surfaces, the heat pipes maintain a decentralizedincrease in heat transition in the building envelope.

By coupling to conventional construction engineering, the degree ofdecentralization can be further increased. The following measuresincrease the operation and efficiency of the heat pipes: in order toincrease the heat input and output of the heat pipes at theheat-conducting liquid, the surfaces of said pipe can be formed out ofribbed or corrugated profiles. In order to increase the heat transitionof the heat pipes or of the heat collectors thereof to the circulationpiping laid out in the shells, said piping can be insulated or wrappedin sections with heat-conducting plates (copper, aluminum) and can bejoined to the heat pipes or to the heat collectors thereof. In order toincrease the heat input or output of the heat collectors to theenvironment (inside or outside), said collectors can additionally becoupled to specially mounted cooling bodies or heat-absorptionmaterials.

The geometry of the building surface must be optimized with controllableheat transition in accordance with the range of applications and purposeof use for the building envelope. If the focus is on limited heating andthermal requirements, the building architecture must make the buildingsurface as small as possible. If the focus is on limited coolingperformance requirements, the building surfaces should be maximized. Thesame holds true in applications for machinery and installations. Inorder to be able to exploit a highly effective storage mass, concreteand variations thereof are favored as a building material. Additionally,it offers good properties in connection with heat radiation. Theconstruction and expansions thereof can also find application in asingle-shelled embodiment.

The construction joints such as splices, joints, transitions, orpenetrations (conduits, piping, cables) basically have the function ofsealing individual components between one another, against theintermediate space, against the interior and/or the exterior, andagainst the building material or sheet metal, film, or a sealingmembrane. Sealing must be achieved when working against a vacuum, gas,and liquid. It is clear that the system, extended over the entirestructure, cannot be made completely “sealed”. The goal is not perfectsealing, but a fixed leak rate that can be monitored, which can beoptimized and minimized by means of the process. In so doing, the energyexpenditure required to establish and maintain the required vacuum andthe U-value range resulting thereof is compared to and energeticallyoptimized for by the heating/cooling energy expenditure relative to thecorresponding U-value range. Standard commercial sealing systems, suchas lip gaskets or O-rings can always be used. However it is central tothe operation, durability and service life of the system that thesealing of the construction connections may also be subsequently, whichis to say following the construction, influenced and improved. At thesame time, sealing sites are executed in a manner and combined withmaterials in such a way that they can be influenced from the outside andthus can impinge upon the sealing. A simple example of a sealing site,which can be subsequently influenced from the outside is, for instance,the introduction of bitumen (in the form of a sealing membrane ortarpaper) above a groove, spur, or simple elevation between concrete andsheet metal, or similar. If the sheet metal is heated from the outside,the bitumen then melts, flows into the empty space, the groove or thelike and seals the sealing site anew upon cooling off. This process canbe repeated as often as desired and thus makes monitoring the sealingsite possible. The drawback to this solution is that the bitumen onlyflows downward. Consequently sealing sites cannot be sealed “upward”.Thus a sealing material is forced in which increases its volume in adirection-independent manner upon outside action. Examples of this arethe so-called fire-protection seals on doors and windows, which increasetheir volume upon the action of heat and by means of their lay-out inthe door or window crevice prevent the passage of heat and smoke. It is,for example, possible to exploit heat, electromagnetic radiation,chemicals, or mechanical forces as a means of outside action.

The action of heat at the sealing site can result, on the one hand, bymeans of heat-conducting plates built into the construction, whichenables heat transport from a site accessible from outside or inside theconstruction to the sealing site. The impact on the sealing site thenresults from heating up the heat-conducting plates from the outside ofthe construction or by heating up the same by means of theheat-conducting liquid in the intermediate space or the circulationpiping in the shells. On the other hand, heating wires can be integratedinto the sealing material, which can likewise be operated from outsidethe construction. In this case, even a variable leak rate can beobtained which can be monitored. In the case of impact ofelectromagnetic radiation, it must be ensured that it is not screened bythe construction materials laid on the outside. In the case of impact ofchemicals, either fine, permeable tubes can be integrated into thesealing material, or the chemicals can be directly installed in theintermediate space of construction. With all these applications, thecycling capacity must be ensured for repeated application. Additionally,it would be advantageous if the sealing material is discharged with anexpansion in volume of a resin, or similar, which cures and thus furtherimproves the sealing site. This process should be able to be repeated asoften as desired. The various structure connections are then executed sothat an impact from the outside is possible at the sealing site. Inconclusion, the sealing process can be summarized in three steps. First,the contact and sealing surfaces are joined together and possiblybonded. They are thereupon joined under the action of form pressureduring the installation process (in some cases, it is even possible thatthe impact takes place at the sealing sites already during theinstallation process). Finally, the impact can take place at the sealingsite from the outside as described above.

The following construction aids find application: in order to preventthe sealing sites from failing in a localized manner, they are eitherembodied on heat-conducting panels or are executed by means of so-calledsealing and fastening flanges and cut-out holes in the surface gasket orthe panel. In order to anchor panels (heat-conducting plates,diaphragms, flanges) in the building material, these are bent andprovided with holes or connected to a reinforcement lattice or non-wovenmaterial, in such a way that the building material penetrates the sameduring the installation process, solidifies itself, and thereby sets theconnection.

The construction embodiments describe, how windows, doors, passages,connections, and penetrations such as conduits and piping, on the onehand, as well as steps, corners, and edges, on the other hand, areintegrated into the construction. They demonstrate how the sealingproblems are solved in each individual case. In so doing, the differenttypes of construction (intermediate space executed with supportmaterial, formed as a cavity or notched support material) can becombined with one another. In the area where windows, doors, or externalcomponents are secured to the construction, as well as in corners andsteps, one can consider to form the construction with porous,open-celled support material in the intermediate space, because thesesites are sensitive to heat bridges. The surfaces can then be dividedinto sectors or formed as desired. In order to achieve an improvedsealing effect, the components can be embodied in a conical shape. Thejunction or seal of the construction can be embodied as open or closedin such a way that the cavity is secured over the entire cross-sectionwith a sealing frame, which forms a reduced heat bridge.

With this, the special structural construction features of the systemshould be introduced at this point. In spite of the minimal thickness ofthe embodiment (wall, floor, and ceiling thicknesses), high temperatureand humidity gradients can be absorbed inside the construction. Due toinfluence exerted on the physical state in the intermediate space, thecourse of the gradients inside the construction can be activelyaffected. In the case of the temperature course, heat transition canalways be influenced and controlled. Vapor pressure can, on the onehand, be addressed through the use of a vapor lock (panel, film) on theinside of the intermediate space in order to prevent condensation of themoisture inside the construction. On the other hand, moisture arisinginside the construction can be absorbed and, with the aid of the system,be actively transported out or exploited for the heat management of thebuilding. Based on the lay-out of the intermediate space, the dew pointalways lies outside of the area in which moisture arises and couldcondense. Consequently, it protects the system from moisture damage.

Because the construction embodiment is set out for a building use andclimate zone, it comprises an optimized “pore size” for the supportmedium, which can range from a nanometer scale to an open cavity. Inaddition to pores, this may also involve surfaces, i.e. the intermediatespace can be divided up into several separation layers. Thestructure-contingent effects, such as low gaseous heat conduction withsmall pores or improved replacement rate for a heat-conducting liquidwith large pores, must be appraised, carefully weighed, and optimizedagainst one another.

The manufacturing process of the construction and of its expansions, asalready mentioned, in particular makes use of a building material, whichwas previously loose, flowable, or fluid (powder, pellets, dust,concrete, synthetic resin, etc.), which hardens after insertion into ashaping form/mold and after some time, develops their full strength. Theinternal and external physical conditions of the manufacturing process(filling, setting, and strengthening process) are the same conditions asthose of the fluid phase of water. The building material should possessthe highest possible gas and vacuum tightness, as well as good heat andmoisture conduction. The process of introducing a flowable buildingmaterial can occur either from above through a form/mold or be pressedupward from below and be sealed by means of a drilling jar. In so doing,the flowable building material is either integrated with a pump (aconcrete pump) or with the aid of a pressure-equalizing reservoir bymeans of hydrostatic pressure. The second method may become necessary incertain cases inasmuch as the pump method induces pressure waves in theflowable building material during the integration process, which cannegatively affect the form/mold.

The simplest, but also the most expensive, method for making theconstruction consists of building, for each individual shell, aform/mold, on site or in component-construction mode, and subsequentlyfilling it with the building material. The goal, however, is tomanufacture the construction and its expansions in one procedure. In sodoing, basically two problems are posed. On the one hand, the buildingmaterial must be prevented, with the aid of a separation layer betweenthe shells of the construction and the intermediate space, from flowinginto the intermediate space during the installation process. In order toprevent this, said separation layer can be executed as a holohedralembodiment with a film, a non-woven material, panel, or asurface-sealing membrane, which is subsequently bonded to the buildingmaterial. On the other hand, the separation layer must be set andstabilized during the installation process, inasmuch as the hydrostaticpressure of the fluid building material affects the same (the pressureof the form). This is achieved with the simultaneous introduction of asupport medium (liquid, sand, granulate) into the intermediate spaceduring the installation process. In this, attention must be given to thefact that the level of the support medium and of the fluid buildingmaterial lie at the same height at all times. The material density ofthe support medium must always correspond with the scale of the densityof the fluid phase of the building material.

Due to inertia, internal friction, or resistance to friction on thesurfaces, deviations in the density of the support medium can occur. Ifa loose solid is used as support medium, it is not the density of thesolid but rather its bulk density that determines how the manufacturingprocess is carried out. If a support liquid is used, an additive can beadded which seals the inner surfaces of the shells during the removal ofsaid liquid from the intermediate space. In order not to impair the heattransition through the separation layer between the shells of theconstruction and the intermediate space, the same should be executed ina material that exhibits a good heat transition. In the following,various manufacturing and installation methods are advanced.

If the intermediate space is filled with a porous, open-celled supportmaterial, it is possible to previously omit a separation layer betweenthe intermediate space and the shells, whereby the building material canflow into the open pores of the support material in the installationprocess, and can be bonded to it and hardened. The separation layerbetween the shells of the construction and the open pores of the supportmaterial is formed at the penetration depth of the building material. Atthe same time, it must be ensured that the bond of the support materialwith the hardened building material can absorb the resultant surfaceforces (tension, pressure). Inasmuch as the separation layer forms thesealing surface between support material and shells of the construction,it must possibly achieve a high level of density. The area on thesurface of the support material into which the building material haspenetrated and has hardened, acts as a good reinforcement. The solidconductivity achieved with the cured building material prevents andstops the formation of cracks in the area mentioned. The density of theseparation layer can be increased further if any additives are added tothe concrete (synthetic resin, silicon, oil, amongst others). In thiscase, two possibilities exist. On the one hand, the physical andchemical properties of the additive (density, surface tension) willenable the flowable building material to always be at the surface. Ifthe building material/additive mixture penetrates into the open pores ofthe support medium, the separation layer is formed at a definedpenetration depth on the liquid front. On the other hand, the additive(with a density less than that of the building material) can beadministered to the fluid building material during the installationprocess above. If the level then rises when introducing the fluidbuilding material, first the additive wets or flows into the supportmaterial, followed by the fluid building material. The additive is thenonce again found at the liquid front and consequently can form theseparation layer at a specific penetration depth by hardening. Thepenetration depth can be controlled by means of the pore size of thesupport material, the form pressure, or the viscosity of the fluidbuilding material or of the additive. If the separation layer is formedin this way, then an increased vapor or moisture barrier also results.In order to also increase protection against heat radiation with lowheat transition numbers for the support medium, fine metal lamellaeshould be added to the additive (made of a film or aluminum, forinstance), whose size is smaller than the pore size of the supportmaterial. These then likewise flow with the additive as a carriermaterial into the support material and are part of the separation layer.Heat radiation occurring from the outside is now scattered to the metallamellae and is damped in its propagation by the material of theadditive (synthetic resin). This effect eliminates the problem of theformation of transverse wave excitation.

In order to prevent the building material from penetrating too far intothe porous, open-celled support material in the intermediate space, anadhesion- or hardening-promoting additive can be added to the buildingmaterial, which is activated on contact with the surface of the supportmaterial. The additive can also be a two-component chemical. In such acase, the first component is previously applied to the support material,whereas in the installation process the second component comes intocontact with the first, it reacts and can harden.

If the intermediate space is formed as a cavity, several possibilitiesexist for its manufacture. On the one hand, a solid, holohedral supportmaterial can be applied for the reinforcement of the one shell, saidmaterial having a thickness corresponding to the separation distancefrom the intermediate space. This support material has the propertythat, after the occurred process of introduction of the buildingmaterial into the form/mold, its physical or chemical properties can bealtered from the outside in such a way that it is thereupon flowable orfluid, and in this way the intermediate space can be emptied of thesupport material. This may be, for example, a wax, or similar, which canbe thoroughly melted by raising the temperature in the shells (a salt orice can perhaps be used as well). The support material can however alsobe compacted slab-shaped sand, which can be shaken/vibrated out, or amaterial (polystyrene, or similar), which can be made flowable with aliquid (etched out).

Another installation method requires the possibility of being able topromote the process of hardening the building material at theintermediate space separation layer and of accelerating it, by means ofa flowable substance as a support medium. This presupposes that thebuilding material, in the flowable phase, cures more rapidly orimmediately in contact with a hardening-promoting liquid/substance (acuring agent, an adhesion-accelerator, a hardening accelerator). A finenon-woven material/lattice with a small mesh width or pore size is thenset up or mounted on the shell reinforcement. The support liquid, whichis introduced into the intermediate space for the purpose ofcompensating for the hydrostatic pressure of the building material, isthen mixed with the hardening-promoting substance. It is introduced inthe installation process at the same rate as is the flowable buildingmaterial. In so doing, attention must be given to the fact that thelevel of the building material is a little above the level of thesupport liquid at all times. The flowable building material thenpenetrates the non-woven material/lattice in the installation processand comes into contact with the support liquid in the intermediatespace, which is displaced by the hardening-promoting substance. In sodoing, the building material in the area of the non-wovenmaterial/lattice sets and consequently the separation layer of theintermediate space to the shells emerges. During the installationprocess, attention must be given to the fact that the fill rate isadjusted to the bonding rate of the building material in the zone ofcontact with the support liquid. With embodiments of floors, walls, andceilings, angle brackets must be introduced into the corners in order toensure that the level of the flowable building material is always abovethe level of the support liquid in the intermediate space and nointermixing occurs. Alternatively, the non-woven material/lattice can bewetted or saturated in advance with the hardening-promoting liquid(curing agent). In the installation process, the flowable buildingmaterial is now hardened while passing through the non-wovenmaterial/lattice. The problem of the installation method just discussedin the case of the cavity lies in the fact that support liquids withsuitable densities are difficult or expensive to manufacture. Incontrast thereto, a support liquid can be used, with large pore sizesfor the support material, to monitor the penetration depth of theflowable building material in the pores of the support material.

An alternative manufacturing process uses a granulate (granules, glasspearls, or similar) as a support medium, which possesses a low internalor inherent friction. In this case, the separation layer is formed asabove, or a panel, a film, a non-woven material, or a surface sealantthat is bonded to the building material must be applied between theshells and the intermediate space. Additionally, either an oil, orsimilar, can be added to the support medium, in such a way that thegranulate does not remain stuck to the separation layer, or it can beintentionally bound to the separation layer. The advantage of thismethod is that a suitable density, in this case the bulk density, iseasy to achieve. Furthermore, a granulate has the advantage that it iseasy to handle (pumps with a concrete pump) and can readily be removedfrom the intermediate space after the installation process.

As already mentioned, the adhesion and sealing sites between theseparation layer and the structure connections can be hardened andsealed by the action of the hydrostatic pressure of the flowablebuilding material during the installation process, and additionally byheating the shells. As an alternative to a granulate as a supportmedium, mechanical aids, such as inflatable hoses or the like can beused.

Basically, three different processes for the manufacture of theconstruction can be applied. On the one hand, it can be preparedentirely in an element construction form, in which the size and weightof the elements are determined by their transportability. The advantageof element construction lies in the good quality control of themanufacturing process. The drawback are many and long sealing sitesbetween the elements at the time of assembly of the building envelope atthe construction site, which has a negative effect on the leak rate. Onthe other hand, the structure can be completely assembled andmanufactured on site at the construction site. The advantage to thislies in the reduction of the number of sealing sites. The disadvantageis the difficulty of monitoring the quality of the workmanship insidethe building envelope and the more difficult conditions at theconstruction site. A third possibility for manufacturing theconstruction is a course which lies somewhere in between that of theelement construction and on site construction. In this method, theconstruction is prepared in advance in so-called form elements. All thecomponents, such as reinforcement, separation material, spacers, sectordivisions, conduits, and pipe, etc. are assembled in advance on anelement form. These are subsequently assembled on site at theconstruction site, sealed against one another, and filled with thebuilding material. The quality of the components can thereby be wellmonitored, and it avoids the problem of many, long sealing sites,inasmuch as the building material is now integrated throughout all theelements in the form.

The manufacturing method discussed above also permits a multi-shelledembodiment of the construction.

Supply engineering, which brings about the functioning and operation ofthe system, on the one hand is made up machinery and assemblies, thatgenerate vacuum, convey and compress air or a gas or pump and circulateliquids (vacuum pumps, compressors, and liquid and circulation pumps).Conduits and piping systems are required for this, which can be providedwith valves, as well as controlled and switched on and off. In addition,measurement equipment and sensors (temperature, pressure, humidity,etc.) are built into the construction and positioned in the surroundingsand which deliver the input signals for the control system. Thisprovides output signals with the help of a program, which then, in turn,operate correction elements and actuators. It is of central significancefor the functioning of the system to have available a transport andstorage medium for heat capacity, and negative pressure or vacuumcapacity. In the case of heat capacity, said medium can be water, awater mixture, or any liquid. The supply engineering involves, on theone hand, a storage tank such as the simple water and liquid storagetanks that are conventionally employed in construction engineering. Onthe other hand, storage tanks for a vacuum are also needed, in order toincrease and generalize the functioning and efficiency of the vacuumpump. The transport and storage medium in connection with storage tanksgenerates static or mobile capacities of heat and vacuum, which utilizethe system for their functioning. Furthermore, apparatus and devices inthe supply engineering can be coupled to conventionalconstruction-engineering systems (heating, cooling, heat pumps, etc.),and thus newly resulting synergies can be exploited for heat managementin the building, structure, machinery, or installation.

The expansion of supply engineering consists of permeable, oralternatively air-, gas-, or liquid-permeable pipes. These are radial,circular, spiral, or looped in shape in the shell of the construction,laid out in the sector divisions or the support material in theintermediate space of the construction. The pipes, through which a gas,moist air, or a liquid flows, can on the one hand feed or purge amountsof heat from the surrounding material. On the other hand, they can alsofeed or purge moisture. If the piping is used to bring about a vacuum inthe support material, it must be air- or gas- permeable. In order to beable to further influence the thermal conductivity of the supportmaterial, moisture can also be fed in or purged with the permeablepipes.

The expansion of the supply engineering consists of a device installedin the storage tank (water, vacuum) and makes a large volume changepossible (flowing in or out), at a pre-determined constant pressure. Forthe application in the system, a part of the boundary surface of astorage tank (rear wall) is embodied as a membrane, which is anchored bya mechanical power source (a spring element). The storage tank can thuschange its volume and this with the aid of the mechanical power sourceat a constant pre-determined pressure (for instance, depending on thepower pattern of the spring). This enables the exchange of a largevolume of storage medium (air, gas, liquid) at constant pressure (forfilling or emptying) and is used to flush the intermediate space of theconstruction. In the case of air or a gas being used as the storagemedium, vacuum capacity can consequently be disengaged, without a vacuumpump being required. The application thereof is described in more detailin the process section. The efficiency of the device depends directly onthe ratio of volumes being exchanged. The characteristics of themechanical power source (the spring element) can be selected anddesigned in such a way as to compensate for the pressure gradient of theliquid column in the structure. These pressure-controllable, membranestorage tanks can also be embodied hydraulically or hydropneumatically,and can be connected to one another in parallel or in series.

The expansion of supply engineering consists of a device, which isinstalled in the intermediate space of the construction and makes itpossible for the heat-transport medium (heat-conducting liquid) to beable to flow over the inner surfaces of the shells into the intermediatespace. The device comprises, on the one hand, a pipe connection, whichcovers a certain area of the inner surface, and which uniformly spreadsthe liquid over the surface. On the other hand, the device comprises acollection vessel, which once again collects the overflowing liquid. Theliquid flows from the top downward over the surface.

The expansion of the supply engineering consists of a device for theinstallation of heat-exchange elements into the intermediate space ofthe construction, either in the cavity or embedded into the supportmaterial. The expansion further comprises devices and connections tocouple the heat-exchange elements or the aforementionedsupply-engineering expansions to conventional construction-engineeringsystems such as heat pumps, etc. or to external heating and coolingcirculation for machinery and installations.

The concept of heat pipes, which was described under the expansion ofthe construction, can also be handled under the auspices of supplyengineering in the system of dynamic thermal insulation and heatexchange.

The method, which handles the functioning and operation of the system ofdynamic thermal insulation and heat exchange, with the aid of the supplyengineering, basically executes the following tasks. On the one hand,the intermediate space of the construction is evacuated and aholohedral, continuously variable vacuum is imposed by means ofsupply-engineering elements and devices. Heat transition through theconstruction is therewith reduced, and consequently the thermalinsulation of the building, structure, or installation increases. Therespective construction embodiment and the leak rate that accompanies itdefine the construction spaces and what vacuum and consequently whichminimal heat-transfer numbers and U-values can be attained with thebuilding envelope. Furthermore, the process brings about ventilation,filling, or pressurization of the intermediate space with air, a mixtureof air, or a gas. This can occur by means of expansion of the supplyengineering at constant pressure. On the one hand, heat transitionthrough the construction is thereby increased and on the other hand, theintermediate space can either be enriched with moisture or flushed andbe freed of moisture. In order to further increase heat transitionthrough the construction, with the aid of elements and devices of thesupply engineering, heat-transporting and storage liquid can be directedinto the intermediate space of the construction and be filled therewith,which reduces the thermal insulation of the building. These tasks of theprocess vary the decoupling of the internal climate from thesurroundings of the construction. The process is managed by a programwhich affects the elements and devices of supply engineering. Accordingto established routines, the input signals of the measuring equipmentand the sensors are processed by this control program into outputsignals, which in turn control the components and elements of supplyengineering such as valves, pumps, etc.

As already mentioned, management of the process is geared toward andoptimized to the respective internal use as well as to the climate zonewhen planning the building or installation. Furthermore, the managementof the process can integrate forecasts and model calculations relatingto use and climate, weather, etc. As a result, the individual conditionscan be applied together in a more energy-efficient manner.

The method can be described with a base cycle and expansions thereof.The base cycle begins with the evacuation of the intermediate space andthe establishment of a vacuum at a specific pre-determined value. Theintermediate space is thereupon ventilated with air, an air mixture(containing moisture), or a gas and then filled with a heat-conductingliquid. The process of introduction of and filling with the liquid canbe accomplished either with pumps or by suction using a vacuum. In orderto once again return to the initial state, the intermediate space isdrained of the heat-conducting liquid. Inasmuch as, after draining,residual liquid remains in the intermediate space in the form of dropsand accumulations and these vaporize/evaporate with repeated applicationof a vacuum, a so-called flushing routine must additionally be executedin order to remove this residual moisture, which exerts an undesiredinfluence on the heat-conducting liquid of the construction. In thecourse of doing this, after draining the liquid from the intermediatespace, a vacuum is applied only until the remaining liquid therebyvaporizes/evaporates or at least the vapor pressure thereof isconsiderably increased, in order to bond the residual liquid in the air.The air or vapor mixture is now exchanged and flushed by means of apressure-controllable membrane-storage tank (an expansion of the supplyengineering) under constant pressure. This process can be repeated untilthe residual moisture content in the construction has been reduced to adesired, pre-determined value.

It should be pointed out that, as a result, the arrangement of the basecycle and the expansions thereof are directly associated with the poresize of the support material as well as with the geometry andarrangement of the intermediate space of the construction. The processis expanded upon and varied over and above the base cycle so that thesystem can exploit the general physical and structural constructioneffects for the heat management of a building. In so doing, thefollowing physical effects and factors are exploited, which arise withinthe construction as well as their exposure in the surroundings (interiorand the environment):

a. Phase shifts, which arise due to the heat capacity and the effectivestorage mass of the building material inside the construction and thevarious sectors of the building envelope. These can be tapped, bridged,or reinforced by means of expansion of the construction (pipe laid inthe shell of the construction, circulation of the heat-transportingliquid).

b. Different physical conditions (temperature and pressure) and variousphases (liquid, gaseous) of the substances in the support material or inthe cavity of the construction (air, air mixture, gas, liquid).

c. Phase transitions of substances in the support material or in thecavity of the construction (air, air mixture, gas, liquid). Basically,the phase-transition curve of the substances is run through by themanagement process, and the resulting amount of heat (latent heat) ofthe induced liquid-to-gas phase transition is exploited for the heatmanagement of the building. The phase transition is induced either by atemperature or by a pressure difference.

d. The temperature, pressure, and humidity gradients arising in theinterior of the construction and the various sectors. This will mainlybe possible with the expansion of the construction (division intosectors).

e. The amount of heat arising due to controlled diffusion into andremoval of moisture from the construction.

The most important aspects of the process and their expansions, withregard to the various construction embodiments and constructionexpansions are entered into in the following:

As mentioned, the determination of the process depends on thearrangement of the intermediate space in the construction. Two principaltypes of construction are possible: an intermediate space with a supportmaterial or an intermediate space formed as a cavity. Furthermore, poresize and geometry also play a role in the cavity embodiment. All theseaspects have a direct impact on how the management process is set up andconsequently on how and what amounts of heat and moisture can beexploited for the heat management of a building or of an installation.

If the intermediate space of the construction is formed with a porous,open-celled support material, the vacuum is formed rather slowly, as isthe filling with air, a gas, or the heat-conducting liquid. The limitingfactor of the cycle period is the pore size of the support material.This type of construction is suitable if the base cycle of the processis to be carried out rather slowly and likely weather and climate phasesare to be utilized (time scale: several days), as well as if heatconductivity is to be specifically minimized.

If the intermediate space of the construction is formed as a cavity, thebase cycle of the process can be carried out at shorter intervals (timescale: several hours) and day-phases are likely exploited therewith. Thelimiting factor of the cycle period in this case is the type and mannerwhereby the liquid can be completely removed and drained from theintermediate space. It is clear that in the draining process, liquidresidue and residual moisture remain in the intermediate space as dropsand accumulations in corners and on the spacers, the heat pipes, and thesector dividers. In order to be able to accelerate the draining process,the spacer, heat pipes, and the sector dividers must be embodied in aconcave or conical shape, or they must comprise special holes that favordraining. Additionally, the surface tension of the heat-conductingliquid should be reduced by means of specific additives or outsideeffects which can likewise increase the rate of draining. This type ofconstruction is suitable if the base cycle of the process, as well asthe physical conditions, phases, and phase transitions in theintermediate space need to take place at short intervals.

If the intermediate space is embodied with a slotted, notched, porous,or open-celled support material or the like, two or several differentphysical conditions can be induced in the intermediate space inaccordance with the surface treatment of the layer for separating theshells. This is due, on the one hand, to the spatial arrangement and thegeometry, as well as, on the other hand, to delays in the establishmentof the conditions. This type of construction is suitable for specialapplications.

The expansion of the process also includes expansion of the construction(orientation-dependent division of the building envelope into sectors)in the management cycle. In this, the base cycle as well as theexpansions thereof in the various sectors, operate independently of oneanother and the amounts of heat resulting therewith are exploited forthe heat management of the structure. The corners and passages insidethe construction are at the same time evacuated or ventilated to anappropriate extent, but not filled with the heat-conducting liquid. Theycan be embodied if necessary as a different type of construction.

The expansion of the process also includes expansion of the construction(circulation piping in the shells) in the management cycle. Basically,any amounts of heat can be moved inside the building and, in so doing,transported through heat transition from the shells through the pipingto the heat-transporting liquid. On the one hand, the inertia of heattransition due to the heat capacity of the building material can thus bebypassed or accelerated through the construction. On the other hand, inaccordance with the number of circulation pipes have been laid out inone structure, various thermal differences and temperature gradientsoccurring in the shells of the construction can be exploited for theheat management of the building.

If permeable pipe is used, moisture can additionally be supplied to orremoved from the building envelope. If this occurs inside the supportmaterial, heat transition can be increased therein. If this occurs inthe shells of the construction, then the resulting amount of heat (shiftin the phase equilibrium) can be tapped and likewise exploited.

The expansion of the process includes expansion of the construction(heat pipes) in the management cycle. As already mentioned, the functionof the heat pipes is based on two levels for the heat-conducting liquidin its immediate surroundings in the intermediate space. If the levellies below or outside the heat pipes, heat transition is decoupled bymeans of the heat-conducting liquid, and no additional heat transitionthrough the construction exists. If the level of the heat-conductingliquid instead lies above or inside the heat pipes, a passive couplingof the heat transition occurs by means of heat transition inside theliquid from one pipe to another and consequently a higher heattransition through the construction. Heat transition can be influencedas desired by the specific arrangement of the heat pipes inside theconstruction and of the individual sectors and controlled by filling theintermediate space with the heat-conducting liquid. The resultanteffects and amounts of heat can be exploited for the heat management ofthe building. The embodiments for further extension of the concept ofheat piping in sectored construction demonstrate how the managementprocess can be expanded around a plurality of possibilities.

Expansion of the process includes expansion of the supply engineering(overflowing of the inner surfaces of the shells by a liquid) in themanagement cycle. In so doing, the amount of heat at the inside surfaceof the shells can be tapped without increased heat transition throughthe construction, transported away, and exploited for the heatmanagement of the building. These heat amounts could also be exchangedby means of circulation piping. It is however additionally possible inthe present case, through a targeted management of the vacuum, toexploit the heat resulting from evaporation or condensation on theseparation layer in the intermediate space to the shells for the heatmanagement of the building.

Expansion of the process includes expansion of supply engineering(coupling of heat exchange in the intermediate space with WP andconstruction engineering) in the management cycle. In this case, theprocess manages coupling to an external heating and cooling system (heatpumps, installations, and machinery). A special liquid can at the sametime be exploited either in the pipes of the circulation piping ordirectly in the intermediate space of the construction, for the exchangeof quantities of heat.

The plurality of degrees of freedom in the system, which result due tovarious types of constructions and supply-engineering components, can becombined as desired with the management process and interconnected withone another, which then results in a single expansion of the process. Inaddition to the basic cycle and the expansions thereof, variousmanagement modes can be defined. These basically consist of a thermalinsulation and a heat-exchange mode. In this, the thermal insulation orheat exchange in the building envelope is increased in the individualcase through the management process . The goal is the management, andchange in the U-value range. Furthermore, a so-called flushing routineis offered which in an active process removes the moisture from theintermediate space. On the one hand, it may involve moisture in theintermediate space of the construction, which arose due to condensation,or it may be due to liquid residue from the heat-conducting liquid thatwas previously removed from the intermediate space. In this case, themanagement process exchanges air or a gas in the intermediate space ofthe construction. For this, pressure-controllable membrane storage tanks(expansion of the supply engineering) are required in connection withspecially controlled valves, which can exchange the volume of air or gasunder constant pressure conditions.

The heat-conducting liquid, which finds application in the filling ofthe intermediate space, as well as the heat-transporting liquid, whichis used in the circulation piping in the shells of the construction, canconsist of the same or different liquids.

The construction, the supply engineering, and the management processform parts of the building as a system. The various expansions of theconstruction, the supply engineering, and the management process formdegrees of flexibility of the system, which can be coupled with oneanother, can be exploited against one another or combined together withone another. In this way, the system of dynamic thermal insulation andheat exchange by structures and systems can exploit the resultanteffects in various ways for heat management.

The system advanced here is optimized with respect to energy engineeringbefore planning by means of a validation and system design. Thequantities to be studied are use and climate exposure of the building,on the one hand, with the determination of the conditions and managementcycles required, as well as, on the other hand, the U-value rangestriven for, which, depending on the thermal conductivity of theindividual parts of the construction, are defined by the relationshipbetween the pore size of the support material in the intermediate space(up to embodiment as a cavity) and the inside pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a partial-section, perspective depiction of a double-shelledbuilding wall,

FIG. 2 a further partial-section, perspective depiction of adouble-shelled building wall,

FIG. 3 a further partial-section, perspective depiction of adouble-shelled building wall,

FIG. 4 a partial-section, perspective depiction of a double-shelledbuilding wall according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 5 a partial-section, perspective depiction of a double-shelledbuilding wall according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 6 a partial-section, perspective depiction of a double-shelledbuilding wall according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 7 a schematic, cross-sectional depiction of a building envelopeaccording to a further embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 8 a schematic, cross-sectional depiction of a building envelopeaccording to a further embodiment of the invention

FIG. 8 a a simplified schematic, cross-sectional representation of anembodiment of the invention according to FIG. 8

FIG. 8 b a schematic, cross-sectional representation of a buildingenvelope according to a further embodiment of the invention

FIG. 8 c a schematic, cross-sectional representation of a buildingenvelope according to a further embodiment of the invention

FIG. 9 through 11 schematic representations to illustrate embodimentsaccording to the invention process.

FIG. 12 a schematic cut-away of a cross-section of a building envelopeduring manufacture

FIG. 13 a schematic cut-away of a cross-section of the building envelopein an alternative manufacture

FIG. 14 a various schematic representations of seals

FIG. 14 b schematic representation of a cut-away cross-section of abuilding envelope

FIG. 14 c schematic representation of a cut-away cross-section of abuilding envelope

MANNER OF EXECUTING THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 3 each schematically show in partially sectioned, across-sectional representation of a double-shelled building envelope 10,20, or alternatively 30, which each respectively exhibit a first and asecond wall shell 11 a, 11 b; 21 a, 21 b, or alternatively 31 a, 31 bset at a pre-determined distance from one another, which enclose anintermediate space 13, 23, or alternatively 33. In the embodiment of thewall shells depicted, the same respectively exhibit a reinforcement,which is solely separately labeled in FIG. 2 the numbers 21 c and 21 d.

With building envelope 10 according to FIG. 1, the intermediate space 13is filled with a porous, open-celled insulation or support material 15,which can also be introduced in the form of plates and can thencontemporaneously have a support function with respect to the wallshells 11 a and 11 b. With building wall 20 according to FIG. 2, theintermediate space 23 is essentially empty, aside from a plurality ofspacers 25, which hold the wall shells 21 a and 21 b at a constantdistance from one another. Building wall 30 according to FIG. 3 containsslotted or notched plates 35 in the intermediate space 33 made ofporous, open-celled support material.

In FIGS. 4 through 6, schematic embodiment examples of the invention arerespectively represented, which stem from the constructions describedabove according to FIG. 2 and wherein the same elements with the samereference numbers as in FIG. 2 are indicated. In the intermediate space23 of the construction according to FIG. 4, there are various sectionswhich are separated from one another by fluid-tight separation walls 27,and the individual (which are not separately indicated) sections areprovided with separately controllable piping conduits 28 for the inputor output of a fluid and for the management of heat transition or heattransport through building envelope 20A in each of the sections.

FIG. 5 shows as a further embodiment, a building envelope 20B, in whichboth wall shells 21 a′ and 21 b′ are modified to be thermallycontrollable or be usable, for instance as heat collectors, and in whichare arranged pipe lengths 28′ for the channeling of a heating or coolingliquid. FIG. 6 depicts a building envelope 20 c, in which are arranged aplurality of heat pipes 29, each with a corresponding spacer element 25and which are spaced some distance apart from each other, and which runbetween the two wall shells 21 a′ and 21 b″ (which have been modifiedthrough the addition of means for the affixing of the heat pipes) andwith which are respectively associated a sealing and fastening flange 29a on the inner-side of the wall and a heat collector element 29 b on theoutside surface of the outer shell 21 a″.

FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively show, in contrast to the schematic diagramsaccording to FIGS. 4 through 6 somewhat more detailed cross-sectionalrepresentations of further embodiment examples of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a cut-away of a building wall 70 of the basic type shown inFIG. 2, which is to say a double-shelled wall construction with spacers.In view of the greater detail of this representation, one has notreferred back to the reference numbers of FIG. 2; instead, the two wallshells are respectively indicated by numbers 71 and 72, the essentiallyempty intermediate space formed between the two shells is given thenumber 73 and the spacer number 74. Both wall shells 71, 72 respectivelycomprise a reinforcement 71 a, 72 a, in a building material 71 b, 72 b,internal coating 71 c, 72 c, and finally an outside form or mold 71 d,72 d. In the region of the spacer, anchoring bodies 74 a, 74 b areinstalled to the respective wall cores, and the spacer and the anchoringbodies are penetrated by a form anchor 75, which is fixed on both sideswith one each adjusting nut 75 a, 75 b. In the region of spacer 74 arerepresented, on the one side, an ordinary O-ring 76 a, and on the otherside, a sealing element 76 b which increases volumetrically underexternal energy influence (heat, radiation, or similar), for the sealingof the intermediate space 73 towards the inside and outside in the areaof the penetration through the shells 71, 72 by the form anchor 75.

Function, technical execution possibilities, and advantages of thebriefly described preceding building-wall construction are explainedfurther and in more detail above and are the object of the dependentclaims and for this reason are not once again described in detail here.As explained above in more detail, in the event of a weakening of, ordue to relevant changes in state, of a no longer sufficient sealingaction of sealing element 76 b, this sealing effect can be newlyreturned to the required size through energy input from the outside.

FIG. 8 shows a further two-shelled building envelope 80. Thisconstruction basically resembles that of building wall 20C according toFIG. 6. However here too, there has been no attempt to use the referencenumbers appearing in FIG. 6 in the assignment of reference numbers. Heretoo, two wall shells 81 and 82, which enclose an intermediate space 83,are held at a defined distance by spacer 84. The wall shells 81, 82further exhibit respectively a reinforcement 81 a, 82 a in the buildingmaterial 81 b, 82 b and respectively have a separation coating 81 c, 82c on the inner side. In the area of the spacer, and surrounding it, aheat pipe 85 is provided consisting of a somewhat narrower inner pipe 85a and of a, concentric thereto, somewhat broader outer pipe 85 b. Theinner and outer pipes 85 a and 85 b of heat pipe 85 respectively passthrough the total thickness of the wall shell 82 and 81, in which theyare arranged and project overlapping one another into the intermediatespace 83.

Each of the pipe sections 85 a, 85 b is respectively provided on theexterior wall side of shell 82 and 81 with a heat collector 85 c or 85d. A flange 85 e or 85 f is attached for each of the pipe sections 85 a,85 b on the inner side and each sealing and fastening flange is providedwith a volume-increasing seal 85 g or 85 h of the type and functionmentioned in the preceding section, against the adjoining inner wallcoating of the respective wall shell. The seals (O-ring orvolume-increasing seal) on the spacer already depicted in FIG. 7 arealso present in this embodiment; they are here indicated by numbers 84 aand 84 b.

FIG. 8 a is a simplified representation of the embodiment according toFIG. 8 for further explanation of the essential features.

Pipe sections 85 a, 85 b are pipes arranged concentrically (at apre-determined distance) and leading into one another. As one can gatherfrom FIG. 8 a, the pipe sections 85 a and 85 b do not contact oneanother and they only project to a certain point into intermediate space83. Pipe sections 85 a, 85 b can be made out of a good heat-conductingmaterial such as aluminum, copper, or chromium steel. Heat collectors 85c, 85 b (preferably made from heat-conducting sheet metal) are arrangedon the outside of the construction and are in direct exchange with theimmediate surroundings and can further conduct heat from direct solarradiation to the pipe section connected thereto and projecting into theshells and the intermediate space x82. As long as intermediate space 82is evacuated, no heat-conducting connection exists between the pipesections 85 a and 85 b. If intermediate space 83 were to be filled witha heat-conducting liquid, an increased heat transition from a pipesection 85 a to the other pipe section 85 b would thereby occur. Apassive heat bridge is thereby formed inside the construction and heattransition increases (considerably). As a whole, the heat pipe 85bridges the intermediate space 83 between wall shells 81, 82 and inparticular the separation layers 81 and coatings 81 c, 82 c. If theheat-conducting liquid were to be drained from the intermediate space83, then the additional heat transition within the construction iscancelled. Inasmuch as the pipe sections 85 a, 85 b do not contact oneanother, a heat bridge is no longer present inside the construction (inthe case of a drained intermediate space 83).

The function of pipe sections 85 a, 85 b therefore depends on two levelsof a thermal liquid in the intermediate space 83. If the level is belowpipe sections 85 a, 85 b (or heat pipe 85), no increased heat conductionexists. If the level is above heat pipe 85, increased heat conductionoccurs.

Spacer 84 can be embodied in conjunction with heat pipe 85.

FIG. 8 b shows an alternative embodiment of a building envelope. Theembodiment according to FIG. 8 b is basically laid out like theembodiment according to FIG. 8 a. Additionally, a separation wall 86 isprovided around pipe sections 85 a, 85 b. The separation wall 86 is, inthis specific case, a cylinder formed around heat pipe 85 (otherconstructions are possible). The separation wall 86 is fastened to thesealing and fastening flanges 85 e, 85 f and is sealed by the same. The(cylindrical) separation wall 86 defines a liquid reservoir 87, intowhich heating liquid can be introduced (and subsequently drained from).The cross-section of separation wall 86 is double-S-shaped. In thisspecific embodiment example, separation wall 86 can exhibit a centralsegment which is inwardly displaced in a radial fashion when compared tothe edge sections.

FIG. 8 c shows a further embodiment of a building envelope. Thisembodiment basically exhibits the construction of the embodimentaccording to FIG. 8 b, in particular with regards to the separation wall86. Heat pipe 85 is, however, formed differently from the embodimentaccording to FIG. 8 b. In the embodiment according to FIG. 8 c, pipesection 85 a includes a pipe-section segment 85 a 1 and a pipe-sectionsegment 85 a 2 that is arranged (concentrically) around pipe-sectionsegment 85 a 1. The pipe-section segments 85 a 1, 85 a 2 projectrespectively into intermediate space 83 and are (partially) arrangedinside pipe-section segments 85 b 1, 85 b 2 of the second pipe section85 b. A distance between the pipe-section segment 85 a 1 and 85 b 1 aswell as between 85 a 2 and 85 b 2 is sealed by gaskets 86 a so that pipesections 85 a, 85 b are joined in a fluid-tight manner to one another. Aliquid pump 88 is provided in pipe-section segment 85 b 2, whichachieves liquid circulation in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 8 c.

The embodiments according to FIGS. 8 a, 8 b make use of passive heatconduction. The embodiment according to FIG. 8 b is particularlyadvantageous if intermediate space 83 is evacuated or is filled up witha porous, open-celled insulation/support material.

The embodiment according to FIG. 8 c operates with active heatconduction. In this embodiment, liquid is transported inside heat pipe85 from the heat collector 85 c by means of the double-walled embodimentof heat pipe 85 through the construction to heat collector 85 d (and bymeans of pipe-section segments 85 b 1 and 85 a 1 in the reversedirection).

FIG. 9 schematically shows in a type of simple flow diagram anoperational sequence for achieving an applied or increased heat exchangethrough a building envelope of the type described above as an embodimentexample of the process according to the invention.

The intermediate space of the construction has a specified configuration(porous, open-celled support material—cavity) and a specified geometry,which is given by the climate zone and use. It is divided intoindividual sectors. The “Initial state” stage equalizes the physicalconditions in the intermediate space with either the outside environmentor the interior. This can also be indicated as “Airing”. The initialstate can also be fitted into the process sequence in order to preparethe intermediate space for the subsequent processes.

The step “Impose vacuum” reduces the pressure in the intermediate spaceto a pre-determined value by means of a vacuum pump or by pressurecompensation with a storage- or pressure-controllable membrane storagetank. Depending on the moisture content of the air or gas containedtherein, the liquid-gas-liquid phase transition can be induced by meansof the step “Impose vacuum”. The step

“Introduce heat-conducting medium” fills the intermediate space with theheat-conducting medium by means of pumps, by pressure compensation witha storage- or pressure-controllable membrane storage tank or by the“Suction” step using the vacuum. This can be air with a pre-determinedmoisture content, a gas, or a liquid.

The step “Drain heat-conducting medium” drains the intermediate space ofthe heat-conducting medium by means of pumps, by pressure compensationwith a storage- or pressure-controllable membrane storage tank or bysuction by means of a further “Impose vacuum” step. In the latter case,a step for airing the building envelope follows. Subsequently, there isa decision step “Repeat cycle?” during which it is decided whether and,where necessary, at which point in time the cycle should be repeated andis based upon, on the one hand, the heat exchange achieved with acondition of the building envelope being filled with a heat-conductingmedium, and, on the other hand, the existing target values and forexample, additional recorded parameters. If there is no necessity forthe same, the run is concluded; otherwise one returns to the “Imposevacuum” step.

FIG. 10 shows in an analogous manner, the run of a flushing routine,with which the intermediate space of the building envelope is cleared ofmoisture or residual gas from a preceding process run at constantpressure, and which can be fitted in at various suitable points in theprocess runs.

The run begins with a step of determining the residual moisture in theintermediate space and comparison with a nominal value, as a result ofwhich it is decided whether a flushing routine is to be performed. Werethis to be the case, an “Impose vacuum” step follows (as described inthe preceding process). The “Flush out” step exchanges the air, gas, orliquid volume in the intermediate space under pre-determined,constant-pressure conditions. This is performed, for example, with theaid of a previously evacuated membrane storage tank or one prepared at aspecified pressure ratio, which exchanges the volume in the intermediatespace once, twice, or several times under constant pressure. In sodoing, a pressure difference is produced between the conditions of thesurroundings, the membrane storage tank, and the intermediate space. Avacuum pump can additionally provide the required air or gas volumes.With this step, an initial state is reached, in which the measurementand comparison steps which were initially performed are performed onceagain. If required, the cycle is then run through once again.

FIG. 11 shows, in contrast to that in FIG. 9, a rather more complexprocess run, in which at the beginning a decision for one of theavailable options “Reduce heat transition?” or “Increase heattransition?” is made. The two subsequent subroutines, which depend onthe decision made, are represented here in a rather simplified manner,and the representation is essentially self-explanatory based on thelabels. In the figure, it is also noted that, at specified sites, anappropriate flushing routine of the type outlined in FIG. 10 can befitted in.

The representations in the flow diagrams are highly simplified and donot mirror the runs that in practice are considerably more complex,which can be produced under the influence of various measurement andcomparison steps and which can be governed by intermediate decisions ordue to partial pressure decreases or increases. Such elaborations dohowever lie within the purview of a person skilled in the art and needno more detailed description here.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show segments of a cross-section of a building wallduring manufacture. In FIG. 12, an intermediate space 1 is filled upwith a porous, open-celled insulation/support material 15. An additive12 serves to form a separation layer. The additive 12 exhibits a densityhat is lesser than that of the building material 3 (concrete, forexample) and cures comparatively quickly. Due to its lower density, theadditive 12 remains above the building material 3. The additive 12penetrates the armoring 4, so that a separation layer 18 is formed inintermediate space 1. A form or mold is identified by reference number5. The insulation/support material can comprise several plates, whichare arranged above a joint 16 and next to one another. Optionally, anair conduit 17 can be provided (as a recess in the insulation/supportmaterial). The separation layer 18 forms a sealing surface between theinsulation/support material executed in the intermediate space 1 of adouble-shelled construction and the building material 3.

In FIG. 13, the intermediate space 1 is formed as a cavity. A fine-meshnon-woven material 2 fits tightly on the reinforcement lattice 4. If thebuilding material 3 (in its flowable phase) comes into contact with asupport liquid or a granulate (displaced with a bond-acceleratingadditive 8), it hardens comparatively quickly. The liquid 8 isintroduced during manufacture at the same rate as that of the flowablebuilding material 3, so that a liquid level 9 of the support liquid oralternatively of the granulate 8 is a little below the level 10 of thebuilding material 3. Cured building material which has penetrated thenon-woven material 2 is identified by reference number 6. Referencenumber 7 identifies a mirror plane of the illustration according to FIG.13. A form or mold is identified by reference number 5.

FIG. 14 a shows various schematic cross-sections of the seals, whosevolumes can be changed. The schematic representation under (a) in FIG.14 a shows a seal 85 g, whose volume can be increased due to heat actionthrough heat-conducting plates 141, 142. The heat-conducting plate 141is, for instance, heat-conducting plate that is connected to theoutside. Heat-conducting plate 142 is, for example, a heat-conductingplate that is provided for the division of sectors on the inside of theconstruction. In accordance with the embodiment according to (b) in FIG.14 a, the volume of the seal 85 g is increased by heating action, whichresults from heating up an electrical cable 143 on the inside of theseal 85 g. Under (c) in FIG. 14 a, the seal 85 g is enlarged by theaction of a chemical, which is contained inside a (permeable) pipe 144.The pipe 144 is provided inside the seal 85 g. Under (d) in FIG. 14 a,the sealing material is enlarged by the action of electromagneticradiation (at a pre-determined wavelength).

FIG. 14 b shows a cut-away cross-section of a building envelope with aplurality of seals 85 g. As can be gathered from FIG. 14 b, theheat-conducting plates 141, 142 are sealed against one another by meansof a seal 85 g. Further seals 85 g are provided between the sealingflange 85 e and the reinforcement 82 a. Still further seals 85 g arearranged on the heat collector 85 c as well as on the heat-conductingplate 141.

FIG. 14 c shows a cut-away cross-section of a building wall with a seal85 g (by way of example, for the division of sectors) in a case in whichthe intermediate space 83 is filled with a porous, open-celled,insulation/support material.

The execution of the invention is not limited to the examples andaspects explained above, instead a plurality of modifications are alsopossible, which are within the purview of matters known to a personskilled in the art.

REFERENCE LIST

2 Non-woven material

5 Form or mold

6 Cured building material

7 mirror planes

8 Support liquid or granulate

9 Liquid level

10 Liquid level

10, 20, 30, 70, 80 Building envelope or alternatively wall

11 a, 11 b; 21 a, 21 b; 21 a′, 21 b′; 21 a″, 21 b″; 31 a, 31 b; 71, 72;81, 82 Wall shell

1, 13, 23, 33, 73, 83 Intermediate space

15 Porous, open-celled material

16 Plate joint

17 Air conduit

4; 21 c, 21 d; 71 a, 72 a, 81 a, 82 a Reinforcement

25, 74, 84 Spacer

27 Separation wall

28, 28′ Pipe conduit

29, 85 Heat pipe

29 a; 85 e, 85 f Sealing and fastening flange

29 b; 85 c, 85 d Heat collector element

35 Slotted or notched plates

3, 71 b, 72 b, 81 b, 82 b Building material

18, 71 c, 72 c, 81 c, 82 c Inside and separation coating

71 d, 72 d Mold

74 a, 74 b Anchoring body

75 a, 75 b Adjusting nuts

76 a, 76 b; 84 a, 84 b, 85 g, 85 h O-ring, gasket

85 a Inside pipe (heat pipe)

85 b Outside pipe (heat pipe)

86 Separation wall (cylinder)

86 a Gasket

87 Liquid reservoir

88 Liquid pump

1. A building envelope, in particular a building wall, floor, or roof ofa building with at least two shells spaced apart from one another, whichenclose an intermediate space, wherein a plurality of first pipesections are arranged, which are connected with a heat collector on theexterior-facing shell and end in the intermediate space, whichintermediate space is sealed against the interior and exterior of thebuilding and which is essentially empty, with the exception ofweight-bearing and/or building-technology elements, or is filled atleast in sections with porous, open-celled material.
 2. A buildingenvelope according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of second pipesections are arranged in the intermediate space, that are connected withthe interior-facing shell, in particular with a heat collector on theinterior-facing shell, and that end in the in the intermediate space, insuch a manner that each first pipe section comprises a heat pipetogether with a second pipe section preferably wherein the end portionof each of the second pipe sections is arranged inside the end portionof an associated first pipe section, or wherein an end portion of eachof the first pipe sections is arranged inside the end portion of anassociated second pipe section, and/or preferably, wherein the endportions associated with one another are spaced apart, and/or preferablya space for joining remains available between the end portionsassociated with one another, in particular in such a manner that aheat-conducting fluid can penetrate through the space for joining or atleast features a gasket, in particular in such a manner that the heatpipe that is constituted by the pipe sections enables the transport offluid.
 3. A building shell according to claim 1, wherein a liquid pumpis arranged in the first and/or second pipe section and/or wherein eachend portion of a second pipe section is arranged concentrically insidean associated end portion of a first pipe section, or the converse.
 4. Abuilding envelope according to claim 1, wherein the heat pipe providesfor an interactive fluid circulation between the outer and inner shells,preferably wherein the heat pipe features a central pipe section, whichis located inside a double-walled second pipe section for the return ofa circulating fluid.
 5. A building envelope according to claim 1,wherein at least one part of the pipe sections or respectively the heatpipes feature means for enlarging the surface area, in particularheat-conducting plates, ribs, a corrugated structure, or the like.
 6. Abuilding envelope according to claim 1, wherein controllable sealingmeans are provided for sealing against the interior and exterior andoptionally of discrete building- envelope. preferably, wherein thecontrollable sealing means that are provided, change their volumesand/or their shape under the effect of heat, electromagnetic radiation,or chemicals or mechanical forces in a controlled manner.
 7. A buildingenvelope according to claim 1, with means for fluid supply and removalfor controlled supply and removal of a fluid influencing heat transitionthrough the building envelope or affecting heat transport into or out ofthe building envelope into or out of the intermediate space, wherein theintermediate space is divided into building-envelope sections, to whichare separately attached controllable means for fluid supply and removalfor section-selective management of the respective heat transition andwhere the building-envelope sections are separated from one another influid-tight manner and/or the separately controllable means for fluidsupply and removal are configured for the section-selective control ofthe heat transport, preferably, wherein sensor and/or input means forthe acquisition or inputting of section-specific values of a statevariable relevant to thermal engineering, in particular a measured orestimated outdoor temperature and/or sunlight intensity and/or amoisture content and/or desired indoor temperature in the respectivesection, are associated with the separate building-envelope sectionswhich are connected on the input side with control means for the meansfor fluid supply and removal, and/or preferably, wherein the means forfluid supply and removal feature gas or air pumps for the generation, asdesired, of negative pressure, positive pressure, or normal pressure inthe intermediate space of the respective section, and optionally featurea gas or air reservoir.
 8. A building envelope according to claim 7,wherein the means for fluid supply and removal features liquid pumps anda liquid reservoir for the filling of the intermediate space of thesection with a heat-conducting liquid or the draining thereof, asdesired.
 9. A building envelope according to claim 7, wherein apiping-conduit system is provided in the intermediate space and/or in atleast one of the shells through which can pass a heat-transportingliquid, which is sized to be section-specific and/or featuressection-specific means of flow-control for the control of the flow ofthe heat-transporting liquid.
 10. A building envelope according to claim7, wherein the different walls or roof sections and/or walls or floorsof spaces with different functions, which are associated with differentcardinal directions, are defined as building-envelope sections.
 11. Abuilding envelope according to claim 7, wherein the shells are supportedagainst one another by a plurality of individual spacers, which can bewashed around by the fluid influencing heat transition and areoptionally embedded in the porous, open-celled material.
 12. A buildingenvelope according to claim 7, wherein the means for fluid supply andremoval feature fluid-permeable pipe sections, which are configured forthe passage through the pipe wall of fluid influencing heat transitionor affecting heat transport.
 13. A building envelope according to claim7, wherein in the intermediate space a means of heat exchange areprovided to which are associated with the means for fluid supply andremoval, in particular attached to the fluid conduits.
 14. A process forcontrol of the indoor temperature in a building, in particular with abuilding envelope according to claim 1, wherein heat transition of abuilding-envelope is controlled or a controlled heat transport into orout of the building envelope is achieved, by a means for fluid supplyand removal for the controlled supply and removal of a fluid, inparticular a liquid, into or out of the building envelope.
 15. A processaccording to claim 14, wherein to increase the heat transfer, the fluidis introduced into associated pipe section and/or a liquid surface of afluid formed as a liquid is set at a height of the pipe sections orabove the pipe sections and to reduce the heat transfer, the fluid isdrained from the pipe sections and/or a liquid surface of a fluid formedas a liquid is set at a height of the pipe sections or above the pipesections and/or wherein the means for fluid supply and removal areoperated under control, in response to recorded or input values of astate variable that is relevant to thermal engineering, in particular onthe building envelopes, in particular a measured or estimated outdoortemperature and/or sunlight intensity and/or a moisture content and/or adesired preset indoor temperature.
 16. A structure with a fixedfoundation and a building envelope, or a mobile building with a buildingenvelope according to claim 1.